Navigating the Digital Frontier in the World of Accountancy: My Experience

 

Hello everyone😄, I'm Daniel Fenlon, I’m 22 years old living in Stradbally, Co. Waterford. This year, I had the privilege of working with "Fitzgerald Power Chartered Accountants" for my work placement, and I continue to work part-time with them. This experience immersed me in the digital realm of an accountancy firm, where I had to adapt to new software, work with databases, and implement innovative systems

At Fitzgerald Power, we all used a telecommunications software called Vodia to call clients and colleagues. When I first joined, this software had been implemented only a month prior, and we faced initial hiccups. However, within a month, the software was running smoothly. Additionally, I learned to use timesheets to meticulously track my working hours. This enabled the company to bill clients accurately and monitor project hours to ensure they stayed within budget.

My primary focus, though, was on the accounting software the firm employed, specifically Twinfield. Learning to use it proficiently was a bit of a learning curve, as I needed to grasp the intricacies of journaling correctly and allocating the right codes to the corresponding figures. This precision was vital to ensure that the financial data in the journals aligned with the appropriate categories in the trial balance and profit and loss statements.

One of my more interesting tasks was creating a database. This database held information such as contact details, addresses, turnover etc for Fitzgerald Power's core clientele. This first-hand experience allowed me to witness how the firm strategically targets new customers and leverages data to provide comprehensive account reviews to their clients.

I also played a role in the implementation of a project management software called ClickUp. Although we invested significant effort in making it work for our purposes, the company eventually decided to discontinue its use after realising it didn't align with their specific needs.

Presently, I'm involved in transferring data from our current system to a new one that the company is in the process of implementing. This ongoing project shows how the business is always trying to improve their systems.

In conclusion, my work placement at Fitzgerald Power Chartered Accountants exposed me to various facets of the digital economy. It became evident that embracing technology is not just an option but is needed for a business striving to remain competitive and efficient in today's dynamic market. As I continue to grow in my career, I am excited about the evolving landscape of digital tools and their role in my future career. I would recommend any aspiring accountants to come and do their work placement in Fitzgerald Power.

Link to Fitzgerald Power Chartered Accountants: https://fitzgeraldpower.ie/